Anticipation building
Cancer wellness hub is just months away
A RESORT-style wellness centre to help cancer sufferers is only months away from opening – but the charity group behind the facility isn’t resting on its laurels quite yet.
The $3 million facility under construction along Kauri St, Manoora is expected to open in April.
The wellness centre will provide cancer sufferers with a range of services during, after and in addition to their clinical treatment, including allied health services such as psychology and occupational therapy; and complementary therapies such as yoga, music therapy and exercise classes.
It will also house a library, cafe and dining area, children’s playground and therapy pool.
The centre is the dream of Cairns tourism identity and COUCH (Committee for Oncology Unit at Cairns Hospital) co-founder Charles Woodward, who died from cancer in May last year.
Mr Woodward’s wife Pip Woodward, who is also a cofounder of COUCH, said the centre would provide assistance for cancer sufferers in a resort-style setting with rainforest to the property’s northern boundary.
“This was Charlie’s vision, and it’s pretty much on target,” she said. “It’s what he envisioned to have; a calm and relaxing place where you can come and have treatment or some sort of getting away from the harsh reality of cancer.”
She said the centre would by no means be the last project for the charity group.
“I think that at this stage, there may be something on the horizon with another piece of land,” she said. “But that’s down the track. Let’s do baby steps and get this open.”
The group believes the centre will be able to assist an estimated 5000 Far North Queenslanders a year.
Centre general manager Kelli Beardsmore said there was already great demand.
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